Background: This study was conducted to determine whether or not the umbilical cord coiling index (UCI) during the late second trimester of gestation is associated with perinatal outcomes.Methods: This was a retrospective study of 251 pregnancies in which a fetal anatomic survey with a recorded UCI was performed at 22-28 weeks gestation. The subjects were divided into normocoiled, hypocoiled, and hypercoiled groups and compared perinatal outcomes.Results: Two hundred twenty-six patients were included. The incidence of preterm deliveries in hypocoiled group was 35%, which was significantly greater than the normocoiled groups (p=0.041). The incidence of neonates with low birth weights in the hypocoiled group was 36.4%, which was significantly greater than the normocoiled groups (p=0.044). In the hypocoiled group, 27.3% of newborns were admitted to the NICU which was significantly greater than the normocoiled and hypercoiled groups (p=0.041). After the adjustment by logistic regression analysis, only preterm delivery were significantly increased in hypocoiled group (OR=9.6, 95% CI=2.09-44.07).Conclusion: The hyporcoiling of the umbilical cord during the late second trimester of pregnancy suggest that the risk for preterm delivery is high, consequently the delivery of low birthweight neonates is high, and the admission to the neonatal intensive care unit is increased.

The waveform of umbilical artery Doppler velocity is an informative parameter of perinatal outcomes independent of gestational age or the presence of oligohydramnios in IUGR patients. It is especially important to check the waveform of umbilical artery Doppler velocity in IUGR patients with preeclampsia and IUGR patients with FDIU history.

The prenatal sonographic features of ileal atresia are not simple. Various sonographic findings are shown and ileal atresia was detected in about 60% of cases.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine clinical practice patterns in the management of pregnant women admitted with threatened preterm labor (TPL) in Korea.MethodsData from women admitted with a diagnosis of TPL were collected from 22 hospitals. TPL was defined as regular uterine contractions with or without other symptoms such as pelvic pressure, backache, increased vaginal discharge, menstrual-like cramps, bleeding/show and cervical changes. Data on general patient information, clinical characteristics at admission, use of tocolytics, antibiotics, and corticosteroids, and pregnancy outcomes were collected using an online data collections system.ResultsA total of 947 women with TPL were enrolled. First-line tocolysis was administered to 822 (86.8%) patients. As a first-line tocolysis, beta-agonists were used most frequently (510/822, 62.0%), followed by magnesium sulfate (183/822, 22.3%), calcium channel blockers (91/822, 11.1%), and atosiban (38/822, 4.6%). Of the 822 women with first-line tocolysis, second-line tocolysis were required in 364 (44.3%). Of 364 with second-line, 199 had third-line tocolysis (37.4%). Antibiotics were administered to 29.9% of patients (284/947) with single (215, 22.7%), dual (26, 2.7%), and triple combinations (43, 4.5%). Corticosteroids were administered to 420 (44.4%) patients. Betamethasone was administered to 298 patients (71.0%), and dexamethasone was administered to 122 patients (29.0%).ConclusionPractice patterns in the management of TPL in Korea were quite various. It is needed to develop standardized practice guidelines for TPL management.

For successful spontaneous delivery, the nullipara should become pregnant when the pre-gestational BMI is maintained at an appropriate level. We also propose that women should not gain more than 18 kg until delivery in all pre-BMI groups.